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Harold Brenton Litz
06/17/1924 — 05/19/2007
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Canon City, Colorado
Harold Brenton Litz
Harold Brenton Litz passed away Saturday, May 19, 2007 at his home in Richland, Washington.
He was born at Graves Hospital in Canon City, Colorado on June 17, 1924 to Harold Palmer Litz and Eunice Birdena Moss Litz.
He attended St Johns Military School in Salina, Kansas from 1936-1942. He began to further his education at the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1942. While at the University he was a member of the US Marine Reserve program and called into service in the US Marine Corp in August, 1943. He served in WWII in the pacific Fleet Force on Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He was subsequently honorably discharged August 1, 1945.
He met his wife to be, Loretta Loraine Barnes, at the Miners Club in Canon City, Colorado. He was already friends with her father and brother both named John Barnes. Even though Harold worked days at the Litz Auto Supply, he got a job at the drug store working nights just so he could be near Loretta, who also worked there. He was quite taken with her and they were married July 2, 1946 in Taos, New Mexico. They were married almost 58 years and had four children: Starla Rene in 1947, Gerry LoAnn in 1951, Patricia Sue in 1956, and Jenna Caroline in 1959. His beloved Loretta passed away on March 22, 2004.
He was a member of the Masons. He started his 1st & 2nd Masonic degrees while his father was Master of the Lodge in 1946 in Canon City, and completed his 3rd degree at the Blue Lodge in Stony Point, North Carolina. He entered the Scottish Rite and received his 32nd degree in Kennewick, Washington in 1980. Besides being a Mason Harold was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the National Rifle Association.
Harold and Loretta traveled around working and raising their family and visited or resided in every state in the United States. Harold worked as an engineer on a variety of projects for the United States Navy, Army, and Air Force in the Martial Islands, Greenland, Alaska, and Viet Nam. As a registered professional engineer he was involved in the construction of a number of nuclear power plants throughout the United States. They included plants in Richland, WA; Susquehanna, PA; Midland, MI; Taft, LA; Clinton, IL as well as one in TX. He retired from the Department of Energy in Richland in August of 1995.
Retirement was a bit boring as he was a people person, so he worked for a time as a greeter at the Tri-Cities Wal-Mart stores. He always had a cheerful and often times a humorous greeting for everyone, and a special talent for quieting screaming babies. The babies couldnt quite figure him out, but the mothers where always thankful.
His humor was his trademark. He was always ready with a joke and loved pulling pranks on his family. When going on car trips he would amuse his kids by singing silly songs. He continued to sing these songs to his grandchildren and his great grandchild. At family gatherings Dwebbiedean or Debbie as we affectionately called him, would entertain us with his famous chicken dance. He got real carried away once and actually broke his toe! He enjoyed fishing and camping with his family more entertainment for us! Dwebbie tried to cross the river to get fire wood. No Dad dont do it, Ill be fine, kerplunk! His hip waders filled with water and he was soaked! To his surprise he discovered he had forgotten his change of clothes and had to wear Moms pants while his dried. Way to go Dwebbie! He battled many health issues over several years but he always kept his unique sense of humor.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife Loretta, his eldest daughter Starla Litz, and his sister Darlene Fuller. He is survived by his other three daughters: Gerry Fussell, Patricia Davis with husband Glen, and Jenna Litz all of Richland, WA. Granddaughter Tracy Ann McGarth of Houston, TX; Grandson Kevin Davis of Richland, WA; Great Granddaughter Arianna Coleman of Houston, TX; Nephew Roger Fuller of Canon City, CO and niece Pam Rious of Albuquerque, NM.. He is also survived by several other relatives and some good friends.
We love you Dwebbie and we will see you when the Lord decides.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, May 24, 2007 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 PM Wednesday the 23rd and 12:00-2:00 Thursday the 24th, both at Einans Funeral Home, Richland.
We are so sorry for your loss.
I was a young co-worker with Harold at the DOE in Richland and can vouch for his humor. I was also touched by the dignity and sincerity when he spoke of the souls lost during WWII and his efforts in the Pacific campaign. Im convinced many lives were saved by Harold although he never boasted to me or took credit for his role in the war. Harold also took the time to talk to young people provided they had the time to listen. He was missed by many when he retired. He touched many lives in many ways. Rest in Peace. Condolences to his loved ones and friends.
To my grandpa…I will truly miss you…I will miss your smiles and your don’t sweat the small stuff talks…you will be remembered always in my heart. I’ll miss the road trips with you as you told us funny jokes and sang to us to amuse us along the way. I’ll remember the younger days when you used to take me out on the horses and walk me around in the pasture, tinkering around in the barn, and walks out in the field to retrieve the horses that had gotten loose from the pasture.
I’ll miss the adult years as well…seeing the smile on your face when there was FINALLY a baby boy Kevin born in the family…watching you cradle each of us in your special made lap/swing singing your too doo song that made us go to sleep. I will miss the special smiles you gave grandma when she did something special for you or just because…and how much you loved each other. I’m sorry your heart was broken after she passed…I hope it is all better now…
I’ll miss reading the Sunday newspaper with you and grandma. I remember the first time you let me drive the car…you and grandma got in the backseat and let me drive on a road in Illinois. I was so scared and you smiled the whole time…I about messed my britches.
I thank you for the many nights and days that you took my mom to Seattle…sometimes 3 times a week to do dialysis. You were so tired..you kept going. I thank you for that becuase I got to spend some quality time with my mom before she passed. Your dedication to the family and being a provider for us will always be remembered.
I’ll miss the morning/afternoon lunchtime visits on the telephone.
You’d be proud of me…I drove across half the United States by myself to see you laid to rest. It was a pleasant drive. It gave me time to reflect on you and all you have done for me.
I’ll miss you grandpa and please give a hug to all and don’t forget to send some angels kisses to us once in a while.
I once asked you a question, grandpa when the flame goes out..where does it go? Where does it go?
Love you…Me A.K.A. George
Patty, We were sorry to learn of the loss of your Dad. We always enjoyed receiving a letter every Christmas from your Mom and Dad updating us on what was going on with their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. B.D. “Doll” and Hester Stikeleather
Patty: I am writing this on behalf of my Mom and Dad. Dad is not doing well. He is on oxygen a lot these days and has a hard time breathing. Mom stays busy taking care of him. They wanted me to send this message for them. Gayle
We are so sorry for your loss.
He has always been known as Dad Litz to me through the 28 years I have known him and the family. He was always jovial and had a gift of making everyday events humurous and interesting. I know he is up there now cracking some kind of joke with Loretta about squeezing through the gate or something !
Rest in Peace Dad Litz
We are so sorry for your loss.
I was a young co-worker with Harold at the DOE in Richland and can vouch for his humor. I was also touched by the dignity and sincerity when he spoke of the souls lost during WWII and his efforts in the Pacific campaign. Im convinced many lives were saved by Harold although he never boasted to me or took credit for his role in the war. Harold also took the time to talk to young people provided they had the time to listen. He was missed by many when he retired. He touched many lives in many ways. Rest in Peace. Condolences to his loved ones and friends.
To my grandpa…I will truly miss you…I will miss your smiles and your don’t sweat the small stuff talks…you will be remembered always in my heart. I’ll miss the road trips with you as you told us funny jokes and sang to us to amuse us along the way. I’ll remember the younger days when you used to take me out on the horses and walk me around in the pasture, tinkering around in the barn, and walks out in the field to retrieve the horses that had gotten loose from the pasture.
I’ll miss the adult years as well…seeing the smile on your face when there was FINALLY a baby boy Kevin born in the family…watching you cradle each of us in your special made lap/swing singing your too doo song that made us go to sleep. I will miss the special smiles you gave grandma when she did something special for you or just because…and how much you loved each other. I’m sorry your heart was broken after she passed…I hope it is all better now…
I’ll miss reading the Sunday newspaper with you and grandma. I remember the first time you let me drive the car…you and grandma got in the backseat and let me drive on a road in Illinois. I was so scared and you smiled the whole time…I about messed my britches.
I thank you for the many nights and days that you took my mom to Seattle…sometimes 3 times a week to do dialysis. You were so tired..you kept going. I thank you for that becuase I got to spend some quality time with my mom before she passed. Your dedication to the family and being a provider for us will always be remembered.
I’ll miss the morning/afternoon lunchtime visits on the telephone.
You’d be proud of me…I drove across half the United States by myself to see you laid to rest. It was a pleasant drive. It gave me time to reflect on you and all you have done for me.
I’ll miss you grandpa and please give a hug to all and don’t forget to send some angels kisses to us once in a while.
I once asked you a question, grandpa when the flame goes out..where does it go? Where does it go?
Love you…Me A.K.A. George
Patty, We were sorry to learn of the loss of your Dad. We always enjoyed receiving a letter every Christmas from your Mom and Dad updating us on what was going on with their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. B.D. “Doll” and Hester Stikeleather
Patty: I am writing this on behalf of my Mom and Dad. Dad is not doing well. He is on oxygen a lot these days and has a hard time breathing. Mom stays busy taking care of him. They wanted me to send this message for them. Gayle
We are so sorry for your loss.
He has always been known as Dad Litz to me through the 28 years I have known him and the family. He was always jovial and had a gift of making everyday events humurous and interesting. I know he is up there now cracking some kind of joke with Loretta about squeezing through the gate or something !
Rest in Peace Dad Litz
I WILL MISS YOU DAD
DIANNE NOEHL
Our very best to one heck of a Semper Fi, the best looking male cousin in the Litz/Moss family! God Bless and rest in peace.Love at its’best & your family! Remember your visits from Camp Pendleton!!
Our thoughts are with you as your father and my friend is laid to rest. He will be with our maker now. He was a very good friend, fellow worker and Temporary boss when the boss was not on site where we worked together at the Indian Mtn White Alice site of the White Alice Communication system back in 1958-59. Thank You very much for the phone call notifying us of his passing.
i will miss you dad and i hope to see you and mom one day i love you very much
Harold was a dear friend. I will miss his happy go lucky attitude. You will always be remembered in my prayers.
We’ll miss you Grandpa. I will especially miss your humor. I love you.
To my classmate of St.Johns Military school. We both were in the Marines and both were on Iwo Jima although we didn’t know it at the time. When he was on Saipan I was on Tinian.We have kept contact over the last 65 years.God Bless and guard those pearly gates
SEMPER FI
FRED
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Harold Brenton Litz